Natasha Resumes Senate Duties After Six-Month Suspension
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday resumed legislative duties at the National Assembly, shortly after her office was unsealed by officials of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, had been under lock and seal since March 6, 2025, following her suspension from the Red Chamber.
On Tuesday, Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, formally reopened it, declaring: “The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, returned to work with defiance, insisting she had “no apology to tender.”
Reflecting on her ordeal, she said:
“It is amazing how much we have had to endure in the past six months, from the unjust suspension to the recall, blackmail, and that crazy lady on Facebook. But we survived.
“I give glory to God Almighty and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly. I pray all men support their wives the way you have supported me.”
The lawmaker, who has consistently criticized the Senate leadership, accused Akpabio of running the institution like a personal fiefdom.
“No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. It is unfortunate that we will have a National Assembly being run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable,” she declared.
Though her suspension formally lapsed in September, legal tussles and resistance from Senate leadership had delayed her return.
On July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that her suspension was excessive and unconstitutional, ordering her reinstatement.
Despite Tuesday’s unsealing of her office, it remains unclear whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will enjoy full privileges of her position, including participation in plenary, when the Senate resumes on October 7.
